The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have acquired the rights to restricted free agent centre Mike Comrie from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Jeff Woywitka, a first round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and a third round pick in 2005 NHL Entry Draft, according to General Manager Bob Clarke.

''We believe that this really strengthens our club down the middle,'' said Clarke in making the announcement. ''It gives us a very creative and quick center man and these types of players make the players around them better. Mike is unsigned. He is a free agent at this time whose rights we now own. Were going to work hard to get him signed and get him into our lineup.''

The 23-year-old Comrie has yet to play this season. In 69 games for the Oilers during the 2002-03 season, the 59, 185-pound centre recorded 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points and 90 penalty minutes. In 192 career NHL games over three seasons with Edmonton (2000-01 through 2002-03), Comrie has registered 61 goals and 72 assists for 133 points and 149 penalty minutes. He set career highs for goals in a season (33), points in a season (60) and games played in a season (82) during the 2001-02 season.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Comrie was originally drafted from the University of Michigan by the Oilers in the third round (91st overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

The 20-year-old Woywitka had recorded six assists and 51 penalty minutes in 29 games for the Flyers American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, this season. He was originally drafted from the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League by the Flyers in the first round (27th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

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Well what an awesome deal for the Flyers. They stole Comrie from the Oilers. I don't know what the Oilers were thinking. I can't see how other teams didn't offer then a better deal then this.

They might actually do something in the playoffs without Checkmanic. I hated that guy so much. He brought that team down a ton. Hmmm, maybe Cujo might finally end up in Philly, which will give them the goalie that might put them over the top. Either way its going to be either Philly or Jersey in the cup final again.